Dylan Mubangizi

We may find more meaning and joy in life when our actions are aligned with our personal values. I will determine what my top 3-5 core values are so that I can better align my actions with them.

I will create a rain garden or bioswale or use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs.

I will save up to 15 gal (56 L) of water a day or 450 gal (1,680 L) a month by installing a low-flow showerhead.

I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water a day or 270 (1,020 L) gallons of water a month per faucet.

I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.

I will organize Ecochallenge.org's discussion course 'A Different Way: Living Simply in a Complex World' with my family, friends, co-workers, or classmates.

I will avoid wasting water while waiting for the shower or sink to heat up.

I will join an outdoor restoration project in my community while observing best practices in my region for not spreading COVID-19.

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 5 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard or local community garden.

I will visit my nearest farm to find out who produces my food, and will learn about the quality of life of those around the world who produce my food in order to make better choices when I shop.

I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.

I will offer to help 3 person(s) who are in need each day.

I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, neighbors, or classmates.

I will write down three things every day that I am grateful for, or send one email every day thanking or praising someone.

Use public transportation, like a WMATA bus or GUTS bus, instead of driving or ubering.

Use Georgetown's bike sharing program instead of driving or ubering

Check out the Georgetown Office of Sustainability on Instagram @sustainablegu for weekly clues about sustainable features on campus. If you’re one of the first five to comment correctly, you will win a Starbucks reusable water bottle and free coffee voucher, courtesy of Hoya Hospitality.

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 133 lbs of CO2 a month and 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.

I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.

Skip using plastic bottles and use a reusable bottle. (You could win a Georgetown reusable Starbucks cup by participating in the Sustainability Scavenger Hunt @sustainablegu or by being one of the top ten participants on EcoChallenge)

Sign up for Hoya Hospitality's reusable to-go box program and use the to-go boxes to reduce single-use waste.

Instead of just tossing out your trash, reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill by composting. Hoya Hospitality composts back-of-house food waste in our kitchens, and all disposable to-go containers are compostable. Leo’s has compost, trash, and recycling options for post-consumer food waste.

Instead of throwing everything into the trash, reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill by recycling. Georgetown uses a single stream recycling system, so all common recyclable materials (with the exception of corrugated cardboard) should be placed in the same bin.

I will power down my computer and monitor when not using it for more than 2 hours, saving up to (1.1) lbs of CO2 each day that I do this.